All Bars and Casinos in East Baton Rouge Are Now Smoke-Free

On June 1, 2018, the implementation of a comprehensive smoke-free air ordinance to protect all employees in the East Baton Rouge workforce came to fruition. The ordinance co-authored by seven Metro Council members was passed on August 8, 2017 and was placed into implementation today.

Those who were left behind in the 2007 Smoke-Free Louisiana policy including bartenders and bar employees, gaming facility employees, entertainers and vendors will now be guaranteed the right to breathe clean air. The ordinance declares that all workplaces – including bars and gaming establishments – completely smoke-free as of June 1, 2018.

“Today is a step forward and a change for the health outcomes in Louisiana due to the harmful realities of secondhand smoke,” says Raegan Carter, spokesperson for the Smoke-Free EBR coalition and Region 2 Manager for the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL). “We are grateful to the Metro Council for listening to the voices of their constituents and protecting those who struggle between having to choose between their health and a paycheck.”